Staying in Malta After You Graduate: Your Options

Who qualifies for the graduate job-search permit?

The Graduate Seeking Employment residence permit in Malta is available to non-EU graduates of:

• An MQF level 7 or 8 course (master’s or doctoral degree) that was completed at an MFHEA-licensed Maltese institution

Based on the structure of Identità’s residence permit rules and EU Directive 2016/801 on the conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals for research, studies and other purposes, the permit is tied to the MQF level of the qualification earned — not just any degree from Malta.

Timing matters. The application must typically be filed inside Malta, and you should apply before your study permit expires. The exact filing window (number of weeks or days) should be confirmed with Identità, as it is not published as a precise deadline on the public-facing pages as of June 2026.

The Single Permit: what happens after the job-search period

Once you have a qualifying job offer, the next step is the Single Permit — Malta’s combined work and residence document, issued under S.L. 217.18 and administered by Jobsplus and Identità. Key points:

• Valid for one year from issuance, renewable.
• Covers both your right to reside in Malta and your right to work for the named employer.
• Issued per employer — if you change jobs you will generally need to update or reapply.
• You apply via the Expatriates Unit at Identità; Jobsplus handles the employment side.

Indicative salary benchmarks for a standard (non-specialist) role are around €21,000 per year for general positions and around €30,000 per year for roles qualifying under the Specialist Employment Initiative (both figures are indicative based on secondary sources; re-verify with Jobsplus at the time you apply). These are not minimum wage — Malta’s national minimum wage is €229.44 per week (€5.74/hr) for workers aged 18 or over (as of June 2026 — volatile, re-check before you accept an offer).

Can bachelor’s graduates stay on in Malta?

This is the key catch. Malta does not currently operate a UK-style Graduate Route that automatically extends to all degree levels. The Graduate Seeking Employment permit is linked to MQF 7/8 qualifications — master’s and doctoral degrees.

If you complete a bachelor’s degree (MQF 6) at the University of Malta or another MFHEA-licensed college, you do not automatically qualify for this permit.

Your practical options as a bachelor’s graduate are:

1. Find a job before your study permit expires. If an employer is willing to sponsor you, you may be able to apply for a Single Permit directly on the back of a job offer, without going through the graduate route. Confirm eligibility with Identità and Jobsplus.
2. Continue to a master’s in Malta. Completing an MQF 7 programme at UM opens the graduate permit route. UM’s master’s degrees in arts/business cost €10,800/year and in science €13,400/year (non-EU fees under SL 327.177, as of June 2026 — volatile, verify per course).
3. Return home. It is the honest option that many advisers avoid mentioning.

The Key Employee Initiative (KEI)

For highly skilled or specialist roles, Malta operates the Key Employee Initiative (KEI) through Jobsplus. This can fast-track the employment-permit process for positions that require specific expertise. If you are graduating into a high-demand field — for example, ICT, financial services, or health sciences — it is worth checking whether your role qualifies.

Working while you study: a quick note

Before graduation, non-EU students on a study permit can work up to 20 hours per week once their e-Residence permit has been issued. You cannot work before the permit is in hand — do not assume your D-visa alone gives work access.

Students at the University of Malta, MCAST, or ITS are exempt from the €100,000 private health insurance requirement that applies to students at private colleges — a meaningful cost saving.

Public transport is free for e-Residence permit holders, which reduces day-to-day costs during your studies.

Government scholarships: the honest picture

Malta’s flagship government scholarship scheme — Endeavour II — is EU co-funded and requires applicants (foreign nationals) to hold a permanent residence permit to be eligible. This means it is not open to students arriving from abroad for the first time. UM’s institutional awards cover master’s-by-research and doctoral students only; there is no broad taught-degree scholarship for international students.

The Malta MFA Scholarship is available to students from Nigeria and Ghana only (not Kenya or other African origins). Check current eligibility and quota directly with the Ministry.

For broader scholarship options that apply in Malta — including Erasmus Mundus — see the Malta study guide.

Key numbers at a glance

All monetary figures as of June 2026. Volatile — re-check before you apply.

A realistic timeline

A student starting a two-year master’s in October 2026 would:

1. Oct 2026 — Arrive, apply for e-Residence permit within 90 days.
2. Sep 2028 — Graduate (approximately).
3. Sep–Oct 2028 — Apply for Graduate Seeking Employment permit before study permit expires.
4. Within ~12 months — Secure a job offer and apply for Single Permit.
5. From 2029 onward — Renew Single Permit annually; begin accumulating years toward long-term residence (five years total; confirm whether study time counts — see FAQ).

How World Study Africa helps

We advise on the full picture: whether a bachelor’s or master’s gives you the post-study flexibility you need, which courses at UM qualify for the graduate permit route, and how to plan your stay realistically. Our advisory is free for most students (funded by a university referral; no upfront fee to you for placement support).

Check whether you meet Malta’s requirements, explore the full Malta visa guide, or message us on WhatsApp with your specific situation.